Thanksgiving 2018 – Baltimore Magazine

Thanksgiving Eve Remains a Time-Honored Tradition in Baltimore

Lauren Cohen — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Back in the fall of 2001, Kenny Liner rented out the old Paloma’s space in Mt. Vernon to host the first-ever show that he and his bandmates would play as The Bridge. The concert just so happened to fall on Thanksgiving Eve, making it convenient for a bunch of old friends to hear the band’s debut while back in town for the holiday.

“Like so many other awesome things in life, that part was just a coincidence that wound up being a great idea,” Liner told us in 2019. “Five-hundred people showed up to a place that could only hold like 200. It was a really crazy, awesome time.”

Although the members of the iconic funk-and-blues collective have since parted ways, they’ve made a tradition of playing a reunion show during the Thanksgiving break each year.

Once again, the six-man crew—including celebrated vocalist Cris Jacobs, saxophonist Patrick Rainey, bass player Dave Markowitz, drummer Mike Gambone, and keyboard player Mark Brown—is getting together for a sold-out performance at The Recher in Towson on Nov. 22.

“It’s all about nostalgia for us,” Liner told us. “We definitely come up with some good ideas to keep people interested, but we know that, at this point, when people are coming to see The Bridge they’re not coming to hear new stuff. They want to hear the songs that they miss hearing.”

Whether squeezing their way through the crowd at the annual Bridge reunion, or heading to neighborhood bars to catch up with old friends, Baltimoreans have grown to embrace Thanksgiving Eve as a requisite kickoff to the fall holiday. Liner credited this, in part, to the area’s tight-knit high school culture.

“So many people are happy to come home and make those connections from their childhood and high school years,” he said. “On Thanksgiving, Thursday is for the families, but Wednesday is for the friends.”

In keeping with that sentiment, we’ve rounded up a few bar specials and events perfect for celebrating with your best buds. Before filling up on turkey, head to these spots around town to jumpstart the long weekend in style.

Wild Turkey Wednesday at The Royal Blue: Grab your nearest and dearest and dance the night away beneath the disco ball at this Station North spot. The Royal Blue is celebrating its second-annual Big Wednesday in style with signature cocktails, plenty of food, and DJ ES spinning starting at 9 p.m.

AYCD Specials at Crossbar: This Federal Hill biergarten goes all out every year, and this time around, the bar is offering a $25 all-you-can-drink deal on domestic beers and rail drinks from 8-10 p.m. Stick around from 10 to close to down $6 bombs and Rumple Minze shots while catching up with your crew.

Thanksgiving Eve: Old School at Charles Village Pub & Patio: Calling all Towson natives—CVP has some of the best drink specials around. If you’re hanging close to home, grab your old buds and reminisce while downing $3 Fireball and green tea shots, $4 Coronas and seltzers, and $5 bombs.

Claddagh Pub’s Thanksgiving Eve Party: Head to this Canton mainstay to sip $4 Nutrl seltzers and $6 Crushes while bumping into old pals and enjoying live DJ tracks. Drink specials run 7 p.m. to close.

Thanksgiving Eve at La Palapa: This Ellicott City watering hole is taking Drinksgiving to a whole other level this year. Aside from live DJ entertainment all night long, the bar will feature a lengthy list of drink deals that includes $4 Dos Equis, Tecate, and Heineken beers; $7 rail drinks; $8 margaritas; and $8 tequila shots.

Thanksgiving Eve with Go Go Gadget at Looney’s South: It only makes sense that this Maple Lawn go-to would book such a hype band for the biggest party night of the year. Arrive early to grab drinks and touch base with old friends before Go Go Gadget brings its high-energy covers and originals to the stage at 9 p.m. If you’re closer to the Perry Hall location, celebrate with an acoustic set during happy hour, and live DJ entertainment from 7-1:30 a.m.

Thanksgiving Eve Bash at Michael’s Cafe: In Timonium, this annual extravaganza will feature the debut of local drum-and-guitar duo Umami inside, as well as bangers spun by DJ Vision in the patio bar room. Be sure to fuel up with a Crush and a crab cake before hitting the dance floor.

Source

Thanksgiving Turkey Trots, Fitness Classes, and Yoga Practices

Lucie Smul — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 12:14:00 +0000

While the typical Thanksgiving Day exercises might work for some people (think: flag football and mashed potato smashing), there are tons of other ways to work up an appetite before and after the big feast.

From charity races and fun runs to yoga practices and bootcamp classes, these are some of the best ways to lose that turkey tummy in Baltimore this Thanksgiving.

Turkey Day Dashes

YMCA Turkey Trot Charity 5K: Grab your fitness-loving family and head to the YMCA’s Turkey Trot Charity 5K on Thanksgiving morning. The races start at 8:30 a.m. and are being organized by YMCA’s in Arnold, Bel Air, Ellicott City, Westminster, Perry Hall, Towson, as well as Baltimore City. From cheering on the sidelines to breaking a sweat, everyone can get in on this Turkey Day tradition. Various locations including 900 E. 33rd St.

Turkey Chase Charity Run: The 36th Annual Turkey Chase Charity Run starts at 8:30 a.m. on November 22 and includes a 10K race, a two-mile fun run, a 1K race, and a 50-meter tot trot. From workout newbies to routine racers, everyone can participate in this harvest holiday tradition. 9401 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda

2018 Gobble Cobble Turkey Trot: Rise and shine on Thanksgiving morning for downtown Baltimore’s annual Turkey Trot. Hosted by the Maryland Athletic Club and Falls Road Running Store, the 5K contest kicks off at 8 a.m., and the proceeds from the race will be donated to the Sol Goodman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center at Johns Hopkins and the Greater Maryland Chapter of Alzheimer’s Association. 655 President St. 410-296-5050

Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Emmitsburg: Gobble and waddle your way through this neighborhood turkey trot starting at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. The festivities include a five-mile run and one-mile walk, and the proceeds will benefit Seton Center Inc, an organization that provides support services for the Emmitsburg community. 201 W. Lincoln Ave., Emmitsburg, 301-600-6300

Catonsville Turkey Trot: Throw on your sneakers and join the Catonsville High School Cross Country team for the 15th Annual Turkey Trot sponsored by MedStar Sports Medicine. The one-mile run and a 5K race will start at 8:10 a.m., and the proceeds will go to Portalli’s restaurant in Ellicott City, a local favorite that was recently devastated by flooding. 421 Bloomsbury Ave.

Feast Fitness

Turkey Burn Yoga: Release stress from holiday hassles and join Keep It Simple Yoga on November 23 for a core-based yoga class. The session runs from 10-11 a.m., and no yoga experience is necessary. Use a class pass or drop in for $15. 5405 East Dr., Arbutus, 443-29-78293

Thanksgiving Day Yoga at YogaWorks: Get ready to burn off those baked goods at Federal Hill’s YogaWorks on November 22 from 10-11 a.m. The hot yoga session is the perfect way to escape the chaos in the kitchen, even for just a little while. 1024 Light St., 443- 345-2790

Thanksgiving Day Yoga at Rolling Brook Yoga: Before you put the pies in the oven, step onto your mat and cultivate a sense of gratitude on a day that’s all about giving thanks. Rolling Brook Yoga will host an all-levels class from 9-10:15 a.m. on November 22. The class costs $18 for non-pass holders, and you can check out their website to reserve your spot. 1715 Edmondson Ave., Ste. C, Catonsville, 410-744-0946

Black Friday Zumba Turkey Burn: Twist, two-step, and twirl away that Turkey at Freedom Fitness’ annual Black Friday Zumba Master Class. The class runs from 10-11:30 a.m. on November 23, it’s open to members and non-members, and tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Proceeds will go to local food bank Carroll Food Sunday. 1950 Dickenson Rd., Sykesville, 410-795-9101

BeachFit Baltimore Turkey Burn: There’s no better way to sweat out servings of stuffing than at BeachFit Baltimore’s annual turkey burn workout. The session runs from 8:30-9:30 a.m. and will feature strength and cardio moves that build muscle and shred calories. 1400 Aliceanna St., 410-753-4354

Amazing Grace Flow: Hosted by Towson’s 4 Warriors Yoga studio, this Thanksgiving Day practice starts at 9:30 a.m. on November 22 and aims to be an empowering class that instills a new sense of gratitude and serenity in participating yogis. There’s no better way to start your Turkey Day than with namaste. 31 Allegheny Ave. Suite 302, Towson, 410-828-9642

Source